Influence of management commitment to occupational safety and health-OSH on service delivery in level 4 public hospitals in Kisii County, Kenya

Stephen Simako Okibo; Janet Wagude

doi:10.51867/ajernet.7.2.27

Authors

Okibo Stephen Simako Rongo University, Kenya
Wagude Janet Rongo University, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7791-3292

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.7.2.27

Keywords:

Management Commitment, Occupational Safety Health, Service Delivery, Kisii County, Kenya

Abstract

The safety and health of healthcare workers are fundamental to the effective delivery of medical services. The public expects these professionals to provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality care within hospital environments that are free from occupational injuries and illnesses. However, in many developing countries, the quality of healthcare service delivery remains unacceptably poor. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of management commitment to occupational safety and health on service delivery in level 4 public health facilities in Kisii County, Kenya. The overarching theoretical framework guiding this study was the Social Exchange Theory, which posits that human behaviour is driven by a cost-benefit analysis, where individuals are motivated by the perceived rewards, whether tangible or psychological, relative to the costs incurred. In the context of this study, the theory posits that healthcare service delivery is shaped by the presence of rewards and inducements, particularly safe working conditions and psychosocial support, which enhance healthcare workers’ performance, ultimately improving the quality of service delivery. The study findings would be significant to the management of healthcare facilities for manipulating occupational safety and health practices, guaranteeing enhanced quality of working life and service delivery. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design that did not involve manipulation of variables. It targeted 521 healthcare workers providing medical services in level 4 public health facilities located in Kisii County and patients seeking medical services in these facilities. Proportionate stratified random sampling and purposive sampling were used to select a sample of healthcare workers, while patients were selected using convenience sampling. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, simple hierarchical regression and multiple hierarchical regression analyses. The study established that safety policy implementation has a moderating effect on the association between management commitment and service delivery (F (3, 11) = 13.593, p = .012; t (13) = 2.475, p = .017). Further, it reveals that both management commitment to occupational safety and health and psychosocial support are significant predictors of service delivery in level 4 public hospitals in Kisii County. The study recommends that the hospital management prioritise the effective implementation of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) policy as a strategic approach to strengthen safety and health practices, thereby enhancing service delivery.

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